Kalpage, Wijetunge hand in resignations

Sri Lanka acting assistant coach Ruwan Kalpage has handed in his letter of resignation to SLC, the board confirmed, after Kalpage is understood to have received an offer to become Bangladesh fielding coach under Chandika Hathurusingha. Sri Lanka's national spin bowling coach Piyal Wijetunge is also set to join the Bangladesh staff in a similar capacity, and has handed in his resignation letter to SLC as well.

There is still a possibility either one or both of them could be persuaded to remain within the Sri Lanka set-up, but that decision will be made by the SLC executive committee on Tuesday, CEO Ashley de Silva said. "The ExCo will acknowledge that the letters have been received, and they might decide whether to give some sort of offer to these coaches, if they want them to stay," he said.

Both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have experienced change within their coaching structures over the past few months, with Sri Lanka seemingly losing its top coaches, while Bangladesh puts together a new coaching unit under Hathurusingha.

Kalpage had been fielding coach under Graham Ford, Paul Farbrace and now under acting head coach Marvan Atapattu, but now finds the board has advertised his position, which suggests the board has been unsatisfied with his work in the team. The fielding coach job is one of the three vacancies in the Sri Lanka set-up at present. Atapattu's job is also in limbo, as is Darshan Weerasinghe's position as the team trainer.

SLC has largely been encouraging of Wijetunge's work, but like Sri Lanka A trainer Mario Villavarayan, Wijetunge has been offered a substantially higher salary by the BCB. In March, head coach Farbrace had also been lured away from Sri Lanka by a better salary in England, though the opportunity to work with the national team of his birth-nation had also been among the motives for Farbrace's departure.

Kalpage is expected to remain with the Sri Lanka team until the end of Pakistan's tour of Sri Lanka, which begins on Wednesday. SLC had hoped Wijetunge would work closely with Sachithra Senanayake in order to remedy his action as he had done once before in 2011. But given the uncertainty around Wijetunge's position, head of coaching Jerome Jayaratne has instead been assigned to assist Senanayake, as the spinner undergoes a remedial course in Australia this month.

Sri Lanka have a two-and-a-half month break from international cricket, following the end of the Pakistan ODI series on August 30, in which the board may firm up its new coaching set-up. If Atapattu is not chosen as head coach, Sri Lanka will have its eighth head coach - either temporary or permanent - in four years.

i really doubt whether Kalpage has done anything special as fielding coach . He was a good fielder during his playing days but SL fielding standard did not go up at all . Piyal Wijetunga too was not impressed as bowling coach . lets see how they go about Bangla job . Good luck guys .

POSTED BY
tiger1984
on | August 5, 2014, 11:02 GMT

a bad decision by BCB ..........slc cricket has struggled under kalpage......should have gone for jonty

POSTED BY
Kadmin
on | August 5, 2014, 9:17 GMT

Sadly but I don't think Kalpage is the right choice if we need to improve our spin and fielding from current standards. SL is already in a level where it has grown and clinging around but no room to grow with his expertise. Bangla could definitely use his expertise to grow their talent from their current position though.

POSTED BY
siddhartha87
on | August 5, 2014, 7:44 GMT

Sri Lanka board should sign Murali.period

POSTED BY
Lakpj
on | August 5, 2014, 5:31 GMT

I don't think SL will mind the loss of Kalpage. Fielding has not been very good in the recent time and he is certainty not good enough to be the assistant coach.

POSTED BY
on | August 5, 2014, 4:17 GMT

I am sorry to say that spin coach or bowling coach has not had the desired effects. You need a bowling coach only if there are flaws to be corrected. What were they doing when Senanayake was having a flaw in his action? sadly it had to finally enter world stage and the poor boy is now slated to go for corrective training and there will be a stigma for a while on him. That shows the bowling coaches need to work more on the mindset of each player just as the batting coach. How many times did these coaches develop the SWOT of the batters in the opposition, and work out the strategic plans to home in on their weaknesses? A coach who just goes about doing the usual training in the nets but not at the class room with a power point presentation taking on questions and giving his views is not the type for today's cricket. The need of the hour is getting them to develop one-pointed concentration, and that i think is not happening.

POSTED BY
Dharaka
on | August 5, 2014, 2:54 GMT

Sri Lanka is doing a Southampton. And Bangladesh is doing a Liverpool. First they lost potential coach Chandika Hathurusinghe, then they lost fitness coach Mario Villavaryan, and now assistant coach Ruwan Kalpage and spin bowling coach Piyal Wijetunge. Mass exodus, Southampton style.

POSTED BY
Lion_Wallaby
on | August 5, 2014, 2:17 GMT

I honestly don't think that Kalpage is fit enough to be the Assistant Coach for SL. Since Marvan and VAss are already there with Sanath and Hashan I think its better to have someone from Aus or Eng for the Assistant Coach.

POSTED BY
asiacricket1234
on | August 5, 2014, 0:11 GMT

bad for SL but definitely good for us. SL is a top team and their coaching stuff must be top quality too, Having them in our set up should help us to improve faster.

POSTED BY
CricketChat
on | August 5, 2014, 0:01 GMT

If SL board is bent on foreign coaches only, then so be it. The resigning coaches should take up the BCB offer. Along with Chandika Hathurusingha, they could form a good coaching staff of Bangladesh who desperately need some backroom support staff.

POSTED BY
yohandf
on | August 6, 2014, 6:33 GMT

i really doubt whether Kalpage has done anything special as fielding coach . He was a good fielder during his playing days but SL fielding standard did not go up at all . Piyal Wijetunga too was not impressed as bowling coach . lets see how they go about Bangla job . Good luck guys .

POSTED BY
tiger1984
on | August 5, 2014, 11:02 GMT

a bad decision by BCB ..........slc cricket has struggled under kalpage......should have gone for jonty

POSTED BY
Kadmin
on | August 5, 2014, 9:17 GMT

Sadly but I don't think Kalpage is the right choice if we need to improve our spin and fielding from current standards. SL is already in a level where it has grown and clinging around but no room to grow with his expertise. Bangla could definitely use his expertise to grow their talent from their current position though.

POSTED BY
siddhartha87
on | August 5, 2014, 7:44 GMT

Sri Lanka board should sign Murali.period

POSTED BY
Lakpj
on | August 5, 2014, 5:31 GMT

I don't think SL will mind the loss of Kalpage. Fielding has not been very good in the recent time and he is certainty not good enough to be the assistant coach.

POSTED BY
on | August 5, 2014, 4:17 GMT

I am sorry to say that spin coach or bowling coach has not had the desired effects. You need a bowling coach only if there are flaws to be corrected. What were they doing when Senanayake was having a flaw in his action? sadly it had to finally enter world stage and the poor boy is now slated to go for corrective training and there will be a stigma for a while on him. That shows the bowling coaches need to work more on the mindset of each player just as the batting coach. How many times did these coaches develop the SWOT of the batters in the opposition, and work out the strategic plans to home in on their weaknesses? A coach who just goes about doing the usual training in the nets but not at the class room with a power point presentation taking on questions and giving his views is not the type for today's cricket. The need of the hour is getting them to develop one-pointed concentration, and that i think is not happening.

POSTED BY
Dharaka
on | August 5, 2014, 2:54 GMT

Sri Lanka is doing a Southampton. And Bangladesh is doing a Liverpool. First they lost potential coach Chandika Hathurusinghe, then they lost fitness coach Mario Villavaryan, and now assistant coach Ruwan Kalpage and spin bowling coach Piyal Wijetunge. Mass exodus, Southampton style.

POSTED BY
Lion_Wallaby
on | August 5, 2014, 2:17 GMT

I honestly don't think that Kalpage is fit enough to be the Assistant Coach for SL. Since Marvan and VAss are already there with Sanath and Hashan I think its better to have someone from Aus or Eng for the Assistant Coach.

POSTED BY
asiacricket1234
on | August 5, 2014, 0:11 GMT

bad for SL but definitely good for us. SL is a top team and their coaching stuff must be top quality too, Having them in our set up should help us to improve faster.

POSTED BY
CricketChat
on | August 5, 2014, 0:01 GMT

If SL board is bent on foreign coaches only, then so be it. The resigning coaches should take up the BCB offer. Along with Chandika Hathurusingha, they could form a good coaching staff of Bangladesh who desperately need some backroom support staff.

POSTED BY
on | August 4, 2014, 23:50 GMT

Sri Lankan fieding standards have been pretty poor in recent times, so, I don't think anyone needs to worry about the resignation of Kalpage. Of course, SLC need to find a good replacement. They could ask Murali, he might join. He was never given a permanent place before, so, a permanent place with a decent salary would encourage him to accept it.

POSTED BY
gahapanmachan
on | August 4, 2014, 21:10 GMT

Another reason to recognise the talent within & shove the politics away.

POSTED BY
184963
on | August 4, 2014, 18:38 GMT

Mahela already announced his retirement from the Test cricket after Pakistan tour. Sanga is also now thinking his retirement from the Test cricket even-though he has 3-4 years to play in the same format of cricket. So the sportsmen & supporting team of SLC are seeking potential opportunities around & grab them once they received such opportunities as SLC is not a pleasant place to carryon. Few overseas coachers are already left from SLC recently and now local coachers on board of leaving. It is very clear that invisible political hand behind and god bless for the Sri Lankan cricket future.

POSTED BY
on | August 4, 2014, 18:24 GMT

In general, if a team or a company wants to retain the services of good personell, it must ensure that the personell are treated fairly, respected for what they are, not needlessly interfered with and paid reasonably for their services. One player who comes to mind is Herath. In the absence of a decent pace attack, Mathews has had to fall back on Herath to be the workhorse. I am not sure if Herath is being adequately compensated by SL cricket.

POSTED BY
Cricsnake
on | August 4, 2014, 17:17 GMT

SL had lost the three schoolboys from St Anthony's College who played in the same team and then went on to represent Sri Lanka in a substantial manner. Murali served a long time as a bowler & supported as consultant spin coach for a short period & left to Aus. Now Kalpage, the long time fielding coach for SL & Piyal the spin coach all had left. SLC must find new resources but quality serviced would demand more. Those coaches were the best if they could be retained at least until 2015 WC. SL is in trouble now. I lost my hopes on SL's performances. God save team SL.

POSTED BY
Cricsnake
on | August 4, 2014, 17:09 GMT

This is very irritating & the reason behind the inconsistency of team SL is this unplanned & unorganized manner of SLC. In the recent past the salaries of coaches & supporting technical staff has been increased significantly due to the highly paid League tournaments & increased opportunities & demand. SLC should have made Hathurusinghe as the head coach few months ago. Now SLC must be funded by gvt or should get some loans from ICC. SLC must use their limited resources & spend money with a reasonable transparency. Otherwise the entire structure will collapse & it will be the end of cricket in SL.

No featured comments at the moment.

POSTED BY
Cricsnake
on | August 4, 2014, 17:09 GMT

This is very irritating & the reason behind the inconsistency of team SL is this unplanned & unorganized manner of SLC. In the recent past the salaries of coaches & supporting technical staff has been increased significantly due to the highly paid League tournaments & increased opportunities & demand. SLC should have made Hathurusinghe as the head coach few months ago. Now SLC must be funded by gvt or should get some loans from ICC. SLC must use their limited resources & spend money with a reasonable transparency. Otherwise the entire structure will collapse & it will be the end of cricket in SL.

POSTED BY
Cricsnake
on | August 4, 2014, 17:17 GMT

SL had lost the three schoolboys from St Anthony's College who played in the same team and then went on to represent Sri Lanka in a substantial manner. Murali served a long time as a bowler & supported as consultant spin coach for a short period & left to Aus. Now Kalpage, the long time fielding coach for SL & Piyal the spin coach all had left. SLC must find new resources but quality serviced would demand more. Those coaches were the best if they could be retained at least until 2015 WC. SL is in trouble now. I lost my hopes on SL's performances. God save team SL.

POSTED BY
on | August 4, 2014, 18:24 GMT

In general, if a team or a company wants to retain the services of good personell, it must ensure that the personell are treated fairly, respected for what they are, not needlessly interfered with and paid reasonably for their services. One player who comes to mind is Herath. In the absence of a decent pace attack, Mathews has had to fall back on Herath to be the workhorse. I am not sure if Herath is being adequately compensated by SL cricket.

POSTED BY
184963
on | August 4, 2014, 18:38 GMT

Mahela already announced his retirement from the Test cricket after Pakistan tour. Sanga is also now thinking his retirement from the Test cricket even-though he has 3-4 years to play in the same format of cricket. So the sportsmen & supporting team of SLC are seeking potential opportunities around & grab them once they received such opportunities as SLC is not a pleasant place to carryon. Few overseas coachers are already left from SLC recently and now local coachers on board of leaving. It is very clear that invisible political hand behind and god bless for the Sri Lankan cricket future.

POSTED BY
gahapanmachan
on | August 4, 2014, 21:10 GMT

Another reason to recognise the talent within & shove the politics away.

POSTED BY
on | August 4, 2014, 23:50 GMT

Sri Lankan fieding standards have been pretty poor in recent times, so, I don't think anyone needs to worry about the resignation of Kalpage. Of course, SLC need to find a good replacement. They could ask Murali, he might join. He was never given a permanent place before, so, a permanent place with a decent salary would encourage him to accept it.

POSTED BY
CricketChat
on | August 5, 2014, 0:01 GMT

If SL board is bent on foreign coaches only, then so be it. The resigning coaches should take up the BCB offer. Along with Chandika Hathurusingha, they could form a good coaching staff of Bangladesh who desperately need some backroom support staff.

POSTED BY
asiacricket1234
on | August 5, 2014, 0:11 GMT

bad for SL but definitely good for us. SL is a top team and their coaching stuff must be top quality too, Having them in our set up should help us to improve faster.

POSTED BY
Lion_Wallaby
on | August 5, 2014, 2:17 GMT

I honestly don't think that Kalpage is fit enough to be the Assistant Coach for SL. Since Marvan and VAss are already there with Sanath and Hashan I think its better to have someone from Aus or Eng for the Assistant Coach.

POSTED BY
Dharaka
on | August 5, 2014, 2:54 GMT

Sri Lanka is doing a Southampton. And Bangladesh is doing a Liverpool. First they lost potential coach Chandika Hathurusinghe, then they lost fitness coach Mario Villavaryan, and now assistant coach Ruwan Kalpage and spin bowling coach Piyal Wijetunge. Mass exodus, Southampton style.